Business Tip: 3 Easy Ways to Remember People’s Names

If you plan to the attend the 2015 Archery Trade Association Trade Show in Indianapolis, Jan. 8-10, 2015, now is a good time to ensure you’ll quickly remember connections made there.

It’s an awkward experience most people endure often: You’re introduced to someone but forget their name as the handshake ends. Even more embarrassing is when you must later greet them with a, “Hey… you…”

In some fields, remembering names and faces matters less than in others. But business owners who connect personally with clients know that remembering names solidifies relationships and gives a competitive edge.

If you plan to the attend the 2015 Archery Trade Association Trade Show in Indianapolis, Jan. 8-10, 2015, now is a good time to ensure you’ll quickly remember connections made there. The 2015 Show is shaping up to be the largest yet, meaning you’ll have more hands to shake, people to meet, and things to see and do than ever.

Here are three easy ways to remember people’s names:

1. Read

Laura Hale Brockway of PR Daily says to use a visual reminder that’s usually available at the ATA Show:

Keep looking at the person’s name tag or business card. As you speak, keep the person’s business card in your hand. Glance at the name on the card and at the person, or from their name tag to the person. This helps you associate the face with the name. After talking, write notes about the person on the back of the business card.

2. Spell

Brett and Kate McKay of The Art of Manliness say that spelling is your best friend for recalling names:

Have them spell it out. Hearing a person spell their name can help you remember it, especially if it’s an unusual name. If it’s a common name, but has spelling variations, ask which variation they prefer. For example, if a person’s name is Bryan, you can ask, “So is that Bryan with a y or Brian with an i?” He answers, “It’s Bryan with a y.” Now whenever you see that person, you can think, “That’s Bryan with a y.”

3. Repeat

Kristi Hedges from Forbes says repetition is the top tip for remembering names:

Meet and repeat. When you get someone’s name, don’t just nod and continue the conversation. Try to plug the name into what you’re saying. For example, if the man in front of you says his name is Mark, say, “Hi, Mark, nice to meet you.” Or ask a question with his name at the end, “How long have you been working in IT, Mark?”

Use the name throughout the conversation, but sparingly, and not in an overly “salesy” or repetitive way. When you say goodbye, use the name one last time while looking them in the face, and make an effort to commit it to memory.

Remembering names of people you meet is just one way to strengthen your business relationships. ATA’s Retail Archery Academy also can help build your business, increase opportunities and profits. Learn about the Retail Archery Academy and look for it at the 2015 Show.

Did You Know?

The ATA developed an Archery Park Guide for parks and recreation agencies anxious to build archery parks in their communities. State agencies can offer this guide as a tool to infuse neighborhoods with archery and bowhunting opportunities.